A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

at the least • in the least
at the least—(also: at least) 
1
. at all events; anyway: The
process looks rather laborious but at the least it is not danger-
ous. 2. not less than: At the least a dozen ideas were considered
and rejected.
in the least—(negat.) to the smallest degree: So long as the
noise is satisfactory the musical quality does not trouble him
in the least.
at the market • in the market • on the market
at the market—
1
. offered for sale: The fact that the wheat
from the new crops appeared at the market, allowed to bring
down its deficit. 2. (Stock Exchange) at the current market
price: I never buy at the market. My orders are always a point
or two under the market price.
in the market—
1
. = at the market 
1
: A substance from New
York has lately made its appearance in the market under the
name of butterine. 2. (for) trying to obtain smth. specified:
Not everybody watching the advertisement is in the market
for our products.
on the market— = at the market 
1
: This vaccine won’t be on
the market for another six months.
at the maximum • to the maximum
at the maximum —is used of the largest possible quantity:
The regiment represents around 500 men at the maximum.
to the maximum —to the greatest degree possible: We must
exploit tactical surprise to the maximum.
at the minimum • to the minimum
at the minimum —
1
. at least the amount or number specified:
They could accommodate 
1
00 booths, 50 at the minimum.
2. at the very least: At the minimum we would be under pres-
sure to reveal the names.
to the minimum —to the smallest degree possible: Delay in
the hearing of cases should be reduced to the minimum.